Queen of Night (Thorne Hill 6)

“Very much so,” he says and gets up. He just got done with a Zoom meeting with a lawyer and someone from the town board in Nevada. Always professional, Lucas is wearing a navy-blue suit with a pale pink checkered shirt underneath. His suit is designer and looks so fucking good on him.

“I wish your costume fit,” I say ruefully, hooking my arms around his waist.

“Yeah, me too,” he says sarcastically. The Superman costume I ordered was way too small for Lucas, and I’ll give him props for trying it on.

“I’ll get you the next size up and we can role play later.”

“I am willing to do that.” Lucas slides his hands up the back of my thighs. “I’m willing to do pretty much anything if it involves my cock and your pussy.”

Warmth flows through me, and I stand on my toes to kiss him. We spent the rest of the week doing nothing, and it was so fucking nice. Last night, we went to the new house to get some measurements for furniture. I was blown away—again—by how fast things are coming together. The kitchen is almost done now, and the pendant lights I ordered to hang above the large island are arriving Monday. By the time we get back from Florida, I’m hardly going to recognize the house.

And we’ll be moving in soon after that.

“I’ve got you so whipped,” I tease, and Lucas squeezes my butt.

“If it means I get to fuck you, then I’m okay with that.”

We both laugh and he kisses me, sending another wave of desire through me. I inhale, finding my resolve, and move my hands to his shoulders. “You smell good,” I say, breathing in his cologne.

“It doesn’t bother you?” he asks because just yesterday it did.

“Nope. It’s turning me on, and I need to stop or I’m going to be late meeting Kristy at the store.” She worked this afternoon and is leaving to go to the Covenstead to help get the Feast ready. I’ll be passing out candy with Betty.

We kiss once more and then I break away, quickly using the bathroom and then heading out. I call Scarlet to go potty before I leave, and she runs around the yard chasing a moth. I know she’s been bored, and I’ve been taking her for a walk in the morning, and then Lucas and I took her with us to the house yesterday. She’s not a dog, but I can’t let her be what she really is.

“I’m sorry about that,” I tell her, crouching down. Her whole body wiggles from the force of her wagging her tail. “You shouldn’t have to be something you’re not, but we kind of don’t have a choice. You’re happy, though, right?”

She yips and licks my hand. Taking it as a yes, I pet her and scoop her up, carrying her back into the house. “See ya in a bit,” I call to Lucas. “Love you!”

“And I love you,” he calls back, needing to stay away from the open door so he won’t get burned from the setting sunlight. I close the door and get in my Jeep. Abby calls when I pull out of the driveway and onto the country road that runs in from of my house.

“Hey, sis,” I answer.

“Hey, Cal. I have good and bad news.”

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re not coming tonight.”

“We’re still coming,” she assures me. “But Mom—my mom—and Scott want to come too.”

Instantly annoyed, I’m glad she can’t see my face.

“It’s Penny’s first time trick-or-treating, and Mom doesn’t want to miss out. Scott says the same, but he’s just coming to be an ass, I’m sure. Do you want me to tell them no?”

“I can’t do that,” I say, proud of myself for how calm I am. “Penny’s never been trick-or-treating before, and her grandma wants to see her. There’s nothing wrong with that, even though Nancy Martin is a heartless twat. Sorry. Can I blame hormones?”

“You can, and I don’t blame you for how you feel. You know I still feel terrible about what happened—”

“Abby,” I interrupt. “It’s fine. I don’t hold any of that against you, and I don’t own the trick-or-treating event. Come and have fun and feel free to let them know after they’ve enjoyed everything my cute little town has to offer that like sixty percent of the people living here have the power to turn them into frogs with the swish of our wands.”

“You have a wand?”

“I do, but I don’t use it. I was going for something a little overdramatic without threatening to turn anyone inside out. It’s a little graphic and I’m trying not to stoop down to Scott’s level, but it’s really hard not to because he’s such a pathetic piece of shit, and I’m sorry because it’s not fair to put you in this position,” I add quickly. “Come and have fun and I cannot wait to see Penny dressed up like a little witch.”